COMMUNICATIONS CLINIC – JESUS TACHES ON PRAYER
Lesson #2 – PRAYER FOCUS – Matthew 6:9-13
· Why is it important that our prayers please God?
· What are some of the challenges that we face when we try to pray to God for any length of time?
· How do you decide what to pray for?
· In your opinion, what are the things on God’s heart that He wants you to talk to Him about?
· How can we guard against the Lord’s Prayer becoming a “vain repetition”? Matthew 6:7-8
As we continue our “Communications Clinic”, we find Jesus giving us a pattern of prayer that teaches how to focus on some of the things that God wants us to bring to Him. If our prayer focus is right, our prayers are more likely to be effective before God and pleasing to God.
FOCUS ON FATHER
Matthew 6:9-10 – After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. [10] Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
· Prayer to “our Father” assumes a relationship between father and child. The only way we can legitimately pray to “our Father” is through being born into his family. John 1:12-13
· How does addressing “our Father” help us focus our prayers?
· How does remembering that “our Father” is in Heaven encourage us?
· As we focus on our Father, we are to worship Him as “Hallowed be thy name” indicates. Why is worship a key ingredient in our prayers? Psalm 47:6-7, 103:1-2
· As we pray “Thy Kingdom come”, we can certainly ask the Lord to return soon, looking forward to His Millennial Kingdom.
· I also see submission in this phrase. I should want God to reign in every part of my life, submitting specific habits and issues to Him. Romans 6:11-13, 12:1
· I can also pray “Thy Kingdom come” as I pray that God’s reign will come to the lives of unbelievers and disobedient believers.
· In areas where we are not sure of God’s will, or where we know God’s will and are struggling, we should pray “Thy will be done.” Remember the example of our Lord Jesus in Matthew 26:39.
· Why should our submission to God be a priority to us as Christians?
· How is the will of God carried out in Heaven? It should be our desire that it is done the same way here on earth.
FOCUS ON FOOD
Matthew 6:11 – Give us this day our daily bread.
· Why do most people not take this request too seriously?
· How does this verse and Matthew 6:25-26 compliment each other?
· Do you think this verse covers more than food?
FOCUS ON FORGIVENESS
Matthew 6:12 – And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Matthew 6:14-15 – For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
· 1 John 1:9 indicates that we should name the specific sins that we are confessing. Why are they called “debts”?
· If we are to name our sins before God, it is logical that we should name those we are forgiving before God.
· When we forgive we are forgiving the “debt” they have to us because they have wronged us.
· Why is our forgiveness by God tied in to our forgiveness of others?
· Consider the parable in Matthew 18:22-35. It is certainly reason for us to consider how forgiving we are.
FOCUS ON FREEDOM
Matthew 6:13a – And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
· Are people ever tempted because they want to be?
· How does desire to avoid temptation glorify God?
· To be delivered from evil is to be delivered from the “evil one”.
· Should we be afraid of Satan’s power, Satan’s influence, or both? Why?
· We should constantly be looking for deliverance from the power of Satan in our lives. 1 Peter 5:8-9 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
FOCUS ON FAITH
Matthew 6:13b – For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
· How is this statement a statement of faith?
· What is the significance of this statement?
· God will answer prayers that are offered by faith, in Christ’s name, and for His glory. Mark 11:24 – Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
John 14:13-14 – And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
This is an elaboration on a previously shared outline.
